The workplace as an agent of diversity, inclusiveness, social integration, and social relations : A qualitative study in a multinational company

Abstract: This qualitative study aims to investigate how a multinational company works to promote workforce diversity and inclusiveness, how native and immigrant employees and managers experience social integration and social relations in the workplace, and how the managers work to contribute to social integration and social relations in the workplace. Interviews have been made with thirteen participants working in the same company. Among the participants there are natives and immigrants, and there are managers and employees. The theoretical framework is based on habitus, on capital, and on symbolic interactionism theory. The previous research is based on workforce diversity and inclusiveness, on social integration, and on social relations in workplaces. The findings indicate that the managers involve in different initiatives to promote diversity and inclusiveness inside and outside the company. Most participants have positive attitudes towards the position of the company in its work with diversity and inclusiveness. The findings also indicate that social integration and social relations in the workplace are of extreme importance for the employees and the managers. Most participants have good experiences of social integration in their workplace as they have feelings of inclusion, belonging, and community. Social relations in the workplace seem to be extremely significant for meaning, job satisfaction, well-being, and job performance. In addition, the findings indicate that the managers work with multiple initiatives to contribute to social integration and social relations in the workplace.